Taxidermy Business

So, you are a woodworker and not truly a taxidermist? If you were a taxidermist you wouldn't be asking us this question. You would already know the answer.

 

There is no guarantee youll keep the clients, so figure the price is for equipment, shop whatever else is REAL... Its not like its car dealership where you sell something already made... this business relies on YOUR quality to bring in and keep the clients.. it will take Good business management, figure out what YOU can do realistically vs what the current owner does.
Do you have any idea bout making forms, doing taxidermy etc? if not then I cant imagine what youd be thinking

 

If you're not already an experienced taxidermist then YES you are crazy for wanting to jump into the business full time.

 

From a customer's point of view, they may not return so quickly until they have seen what kind of work you can produce. If you want to run a taxidermy business to have the repeat customers, then you'll have to hire an experienced taxidermist who can produce quality pieces while you fabricate base, panels, etc and do the habitat work. I've been doing taxidermy since 2001, which was for myself by going to competitions. I am now just starting to take in customer work. Good luck.

Andy

 

Why in the he l l would you ask a Forum a question like that?

No one knows you. No one knows your skills. No one knows your business background. No one knows anything about you.

Yeh, do it. Go for it. You will be the best at it.

 

I didn't know there was a form making business in Idaho. I hope it's not the form making business that sent out a flyer and then would never answer the phone.

 

give it this test...is there another place i could invest the same amount of time and money with a better return?if you have a steady job in this economy,i wouldn't give it up to inherit someone elses problems.I actually bought an existing taxidermy shop,20 years ago,not knowing any thing about taxidermy.it's been a bumpy road,to say the least

 

If you have the money to buy the business, then you probably have enough to start a business and ride it out until it becomes big enough to support yourself and your family. IF I was going to purchase this business, I would have a lawyer review the contract to cover things such as the seller could not open a competing business with 300 miles, seller could not contact current or previous customers in any way (phone, mail, e-mail etc) for seven years, get the deposits of the work currently in the shop. As I said, this is IF, but personally I would not purchase it. You will be competing with the previous owner for years. Every call that comes in will be, "Is this John" (or whoever the previous owner is), "Do you know how I can reach him"?

Your money; you asked for opinions and this is mine!

Vic

 

By your statements, you sound like you have little or no experience in taxidermy. If that is the case, you would be crazy to buy this business.
Test the water before jumping in head first.

 

Not being a taxidermist and buying a Taxidermy Business is a recipe for disaster, after you spend the money and it's not working out you can't click your heels and say I want to go home because your not in Kansas any more.

 

I would hope you have a background in taxidermy...or have someone lined up to do the actual work for you...

With only 150-200 pieces a year, it would be difficult to make a profit if you have to hire an experienced person to run the shop + all the other newly acquired biz expenses.

 

Run the numbers, pieces , hours , income, expenses , salary ? Get a account to help with this. A form making business = copyright infringements and possible lawsiuts. What part of Idaho is this ?

 

There is something to be said about buying an established business ..however, a craftmanship business is only worth what the guy who started it is worth or the employees that he has is worth. like the post little earlier....they are always gonna call asking and looking for "John" and if John is no longer there then the door is wide open to shop around for the next best guy around. Starting from scratch and learning the industry from the bottom up will probably do you more justice. 1 upset costomer will cost you more than 8 happy costomers will gain you. If your gonna do it ... Id suggest a slow buyout and John sticking around until you have established yourself in his business!

 

My two cents, Can you chew gum, walk and talk to a client on the phone answer the call waiting and control the interest of a customer in the shop a the same time you are setting the eyes on a deer, there are other things that need your attention at that perticular time also. If you can handle all that you need to get an apprasial of the property, if your are purchasing the property see if there are any back taxes owed or any leins aganist the business. Ask to see his profitt and loss statment for the past three years, His tax returns for the last three years. Find out the property tax cost and any restrictions for futher growth. As far as the customers a quailty mount at a resonable price in a reasonal amount of time will suffice.

 

The only question I can think to ask , is this a one man shop or does it have staff that can do the taxidermy work? It sounds like a single dermist that is getting burned out and wants out. If so you probably have a string of clients MAD because they were promised stuff a couple years ago and an have been hounding him into wanting to quit.

Hate to put it this way but if you want to get into Taxidermy, Go to a good School learn it and wait one year from now at the same time. If I am right he will be buried alive and you will be able to pick the cream of his clients from the disaster that is gonna eventually happen if he is getting out.

Jeff